Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The weather was warm yesterday and I couldn't help myself. LEft the yard work and went on a hike behind the house (camera in hand of course). First find under some flaked off granite.

Next after the Granite Night Lizard (left safely under his rock) was this San Diego Gopher Snake, looked like one of last years neonates. I almost missed it, it was out in the open between rock piles I was searching.

Except for his tongue, the Gopher snake did not move at all. Got several different shots. Last, one of my favorites. A "real beauty" too! She had to be close to the top end for C. ruber, atleast five feet or more. I got some nice shots and left her alone. Looked like she may have just eaten too.

Here is another view taken from a rock above her. You can see the bulge of a meal in this photo.

Is that in San Diego county??
Ryan

Everything is growing like crazy, this was an area that was burned two years ago. Shrubs should be back in a couple more years. The Sycamore trees that lined a small stream may take many years.

You have to watch for the Poison Oak as much as you do the herps. It seems to grow wherever I want to look between a couple rocks or in a crack.

Never seen one of these before, could only get within about 25 yards. It is a Spotted Towhee, or so the book says.

Nice finds. You are in my neck of the woods. I love the year round herps.
Nathan

that people live in places that are colder than my freezer.

it was -10 degrees here a few days ago NY and with the wind chill it was -20 you guys are so lucky to find stuff in jan.
Wayne

it was -30 in upstate NY last saturday...and I have to work outside in it for 4-5 hours...as I work on a horse farm handling thoroughbreds....it REALLY sucks.. They take the cold better than I do. I always say...every year...that I'll never deal with another winter EVER AGAIN. But then summer rolls around, and I start hiking in the berkshire hills, and in the catskills...finding black rat snakes, timber rattlesnakes, milk snakes...and I forget every thought I ever had about leaving this area in favor of someplace warmer(except for costa rica...I'll always move there...)but its so beautiful and green here during the summer.

Nice finds! I really like your C. ruber shots....very nice snake....very nice pictures.
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- Happy herping!

KE

http://budgiesandboas.com/inthe.htm

Is that Henshawi?

Chuck